The hardest call was Green over Larkin for player of the year. Had the Hokies won a few more games or and escaped last place, not so much.

But becoming the first ACC player to lead the nation in scoring since South Carolina’s Grady Wallace in 1957 is remarkable. To do so as a guard shooting nearly 50 percent on a team with no other weapons is beyond remarkable.

The only decision to make regarding first team was Howell, North Carolina State’s most consistent player and the ACC’s top rebounder, or Curry, the league’s leading 3-point shooter in conference games. I finally sided with Howell because of his impact on both ends – Curry is a pedestrian defender, though a chronic leg injury certainly affects him there.

Totally unintended, hardly a prerequisite for such ballots but cool nonetheless: With a center, two guards and two forwards, this first team could easily take the floor.

Finally, I doubt the overlooked Mitchell makes any of the teams, but he’s abosolutely deserving and is arguably the ACC’s most improved player.

I can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. Follow me at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP